A man is expected to appear before Belfast Magistrates Court on Monday morning, January 18

A man has been charged after staff in East Belfast fought off a would-be robber.

On Saturday, January 16, a man armed with a knife entered the Co-op on the Beersbridge Road in the east of the city at 7.45am.

He allegedly demanded cash from the till and threatened staff members.

But the East Belfast workers apprehended the man and he was detained until police arrived a short time later.

Officers have since charged a 28-year-old man with attempted robbery as well as threats to kill.

He is expected to appear before Belfast Magistrates Court on Monday morning, January 18.

As is normal procedure all charges will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service.

Detective Sergeant Hawthorne is appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident or anyone with any information that could assist with the investigation to contact detectives at Reactive and Organised Crime in Musgrave on the non-emergency number 101. Information can also be passed anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.